Schooling Stress is Almost Non-Existent! Week 5

Oh, to feel the relief and happiness of being organized is amazing.  Last year, being my first year home schooling my kids,  I was anxious, stressed and run off my feet, trying to keep up with what was needed to get done.  The whole purpose of choosing the home schooling path, was to alleviate the anxiety and stress my son was having in a classroom setting for learning.

The whole first year,  wasn't a write off though.  I just caused myself all those feelings, which is normal for your first year of home schooling your children. My son was an A/B student, and my daughter expelled in places that I didn't even no she struggled with in a public classroom., still pulling off her A's/

So, with my knowledge from last year,  I made sure I was prepared this year to deal with the next 9 months. 

This last week,  we completed our first section in our Science program.  The kids wrote their first Grammar Test, which I neglected to tell them it was coming up (on purpose). I was tired on day, after being up so early to take hubby to the airport,  I napped while the kids did their Art and Health. With History, we got through another Chapter and broadened our minds. 

So last week accomplishments:

Science: We finished Chapter 5,  which completed our first section in Science, which was on Force. Before Friday,  we completed the section with learning about Density and Buoyancy, and Pressure.  On Friday the kids were able to do their Review/Quiz and received their Captain Code to unlock a game on the program.

History: The kids learnt about Sargon ( King of Ancient Mesopotamia). The kids learned what a dictatorship.  Also,  the country's name was changed to Akkadia. 

We also read the story, of Abraham and God,  and Joseph and his coat of many colors.  I teach my kids every aspect of history. Evolution, Christianity, etc.  And I tell them to make up their minds on what they believe.  I'm not closing the doors on any discussion on how the world came to be.

Math: I had the kids work on multiplication, division, fractions, and place values.  They are getting there with feeling comfortable with working with the factors 8 and 9, to the larger numbers.  And they are really grasping the fraction lessons we've been working on.

LA: On Monday, I surprised the kids with a test in grammar.  They didn't panic, which is what Champ used to do with tests.  When they were all done,  marks consisted of a 96% and a 94%.  I love it!!  We then started working with our new chapter in Grammar, which is Growing with Nouns. Also, we did some more writing practices.  We didn't work on poetry this last week. 

Health: The kids worked on a Balanced Lifestyle Assignment.  In Health,  we are teacher directed.  So the kids had to finish an assignment for September.  They talked about relaxation, revelation, nutrition, learning, physical activity, and hygiene.  It was pretty easy.  They're pretty well rounded in all these things, in our daily life.

Art: The kids finished their tree sketches, leaf rubbings, and leaf pattern art piece.  All they have left to do now is write a reflection on how they thought they did.

Phys. Ed: Champ has had Hockey.  Boo has had Ringette.  We've been doing Insanity.  And the kids have been biking and playing basketball outside.

Music:  The kids had their vocal lessons on Monday.  They practiced 4 days this week.  Boo practiced piano 4 times and Champ practiced guitar 4 times.

So that was our week that just went by.  Lets see what the next week brings us.

Change, I can't make up my mind.

OK , I know. I keep changing my blog layout.  I keep playing with it and trying to find the perfect fit for how I want it to look.  I'm playing around with titles, colors, ads, photos, widgets, gadgets, and so on.  I'm trying to create header tabs,  so there's links for each different area I'm posting about that day.
I'm trying to get inspired with the look of my Blog.  I'm slowly getting there.  The first layout,  was nice and simple; the second I used, I had the Dynamic view, which had a sidebar and fancy buttons (not my thing).  So my third attempt, is it's back to simple,  but I've played around with the widths and all.
I'm learning more about patience with doing all this playing around with blogger technology. Every time I press a button to change font, style, color, etc; I cross my fingers that I've completed the task properly or I saved it right; or my favorite,  change something and then I don't like it and I can't get back to what I had before. So from there, it's like playing Where's Waldo, and I try to find the hidden button to get back to what I want.
Playing with my blog layout, and trying to get this right fit to how I want it to look,  is much harder then thinking of what to write each time. A simple design,  full of complications.  Please be patient. I have learnt to be patient with it. If I hadn't, I would have taken this laptop by now and threw it out the back door. I will get it right eventually.  You can let me know what you think of it. Is it easy to follow?  Or the colors distracting or not? If you know how to do fancy tabs and links,  I would love for you to let me know.
I will keep working at it,  just as I keep working on my life.  Patient, opened to ideas and change, and accepting of differences and difficulties. I need all these things to reach my goal with technology..

Guardian Angels All Around

Inspiration! How often is it presented to us in our life?  It comes in so many ways and forms to us.  And a lot  of times, we tend to ignore these moments and take for granted we were given these gifts and lessons in life.
Really, everyday I find there is something that inspires me. But I must share what has inspired me in the last month. But I'll start on how I got here with it.

About mid-August, Champ and I were on our way home from spending the day in the city.  On the way, we stopped  at good old Costco to pick up some meats for supper.  I'm not one of those browse around and spend hours at Costco people.  I like to get in and get out, or I'll end up spending more then I have too.
While we were walking down the aisle,  a gentleman asked me if he could talk to me.  He happened to be an  author and was doing a book signing of his three books. He asked me if I'd be interested in buying them. I'm a pretty easy going person and of course, I love to read. On the front of the three books, were different illustrations of Angels.  I have to admit, if I was just walking by a pile of this particular books, I probably wouldn't have stopped to take a glance.  I do believe in a higher power, or a God,  but I don't practice it daily or attend church anymore (as my life is crazy to find the time).  I also don't usually read anything doing with religion.
But this author,  grabbed my attention, letting me know his books were a fictional Christian Romance Series. And some other things he said,  just gave me that feeling, WHY NOT??  Let's give it a try. So, off I left Costco, with three new books, all signed by the author.
So, what are the names of these books, and what is the name of the author? First of all, Henry K. Ripplinger, thank you so much, for just happening to be at Costco when you were.  Thank you for writing your life in a fictional way to draw in so many readers.   I have cried, laughed, felt heartache, and have been INSPIRED by your books.  Yes, that's the author. The names of the books: Pewter Angels, Another Angel of Love, and Thanksgiving Angel. This series of books draws you into the characters world and makes you reflect on your own.  Everything from family, friends, first loves, spiritualality, judging, and etc.



There were so many inspirational quotes and life lessons in these books.  All three books had me looking at my life in a way, that made me open my eyes even more on how I live my life, interact with the world, and also feeling gratitude on what I have and who I have in my life.
I do this once in awhile with myself.  I take a step back and take a look on how I behave,  how I judge, how I raise my kids, and also my relationship with my hubby.
When I was reading these books, I started looking on how everyone around is and if they have a positive outlook on their life;  do they treat people the way they want to be treated; do they judge without thinking who they could be hurting or if it even affects them personally at all?  It's amazing how the majority of us humans,  tend to think judging is acceptable.  I'm included in this too.  I catch myself all the time judging or talking about something or someone that has nothing to do with me.
I have started to think before I speak most of the time now.  Take the time to figure out if it is something I even need to make a comment on.
The huge part of these books also touch on Guardian Angels.  Some people believe, some don't. I do, as I stated before,  think there's something above; a stronger force.  I believe someone or something is watching over me.  Whenever something hard comes along in my life,  a positive comes in turn to help me out.  I feel a presence around me.  It could just be an energy or it could be a Guardian Angel.
I believe I live a positive lifestyle.  There are moments when something brings me down,  but then I look around and see what I have in my life.  Husband, children, family, friends, and good health. I want my kids to live their lives the same way.
 I could quote a phrase or a line from one of these books, Henry K. Ripplinger wrote; but I won't. I encourage all of you to go buy them,  read them with an open mind and heart,  and receive the gift I did when I read them.  Now I am just waiting for Book 4.

http://www.henryripplinger.com/books.html